Selected literatures before year 2000 are also included. This paper first discusses the principles and fundamentals of accelerometry, along with different sensor placements. Various research using accelerometry-based wearable motion detectors for PA monitoring and assessment, including posture and movement classification, estimation of energy expenditure, fall detection and balance control evaluation, are then reviewed. Finally this paper reviews and compares existing commercial products to provide a comprehensive outlook of current development status and possible emerging technologies.2.?Design Fundamentals for Accelerometry-Based Wearable Motion Detectors2.1.
Accelerometry: Principles and SensorsInertial sensors are basically force sensors to sense linear acceleration along one or several directions, or angular motion about one or several axes.
The former is referred to as an accelerometer, and the later a gyroscope. The common operation principle of accelerometers is based on a mechanical sensing element which consists of a proof mass (or seismic mass) attached to a mechanical suspension system with respect to a reference frame. Inertial force due to acceleration or gravity will cause the proof mass to deflect according to Newton��s Second Law. The acceleration can be measured electrically with the physical changes in displacement of the proof mass with respect to the reference frame. Piezoresistive, piezoelectric and differential capacitive accelerometers are the most common types [12,13].
2.1.1. Piezoresistive accelerometersThe sensing element consists of a cantilever beam and its proof mass is formed by bulk-micromachining.
The motion of the proof mass due to acceleration can be detected by piezoresistors in the cantilever beam and proof mass. The piezoresistors are arranged as a Wheatstone bridge to produce a voltage proportional to the applied acceleration. Piezoresistive accelerometers are simple and low-cost. The piezoresistive accelerometers are DC-responsive that can measure constant acceleration such as gravity. The major drawbacks of piezoresistive sensing are the temperature-sensitive Batimastat drift and the lower level of the output signals.2.1.2.
Piezoelectric accelerometersIn a piezoelectric accelerometer, the sensing element bends due to applied acceleration which causes a displacement of the seismic mass, and results in an output voltage proportional to the applied acceleration. Piezoelectric GSK-3 accelerometers do not respond to the constant component of accelerations.2.1.3. Differential capacitive accelerometersThe displacement of the proof mass can be measured capacitively. In a capacitive sensing mechanism, the seismic mass is encapsulated between two electrodes.